Abstract
Induction of labor is one of the most used procedures in obstetrics, performed to achieve vaginal delivery through cervical ripening and stimulation of uterine contractions. We investigated the impact of induction of labor upon placental autophagy, a catabolic pathway activated in response to alteration of the physiological intracellular conditions. We collected 28 singleton placentas at the time of uncomplicated term vaginal delivery (7 spontaneous onset of labor, 21 induced labor). Autophagy was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting. No significant difference in the autophagy expression was found between spontaneous or induced onset of labor. We found an inverse relationship between autophagy expression and the maternal prepregnancy body mass index, irrespective of the mode of labor onset. This result could be related to the nutritional maternal habits before and throughout pregnancy rather than rapid metabolic changes during labor.
Highlights
Autophagy is an inducible, intracellular catabolic pathway by which organelles or portion of cytoplasm is sequestered in autophagosomes, a double-membrane vesicle that fuses with lysosome to allow material breakdown and recycling [1].In uncomplicated term pregnancies we have previously shown that autophagy is increased in placentas from cesarean when compared to vaginal delivery [2]; other studies have demonstrated higher levels of autophagy in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia [3], intrauterine growth restriction [4,5,6], or both [4], when compared to normal pregnancies
We investigated the impact of induction of labor upon placental autophagy, a catabolic pathway activated in response to alteration of the physiological intracellular conditions
We underwent this study with the aim to investigate the relationship between autophagy and induction of labor; our hypothesis was that placental autophagy could be increased in cases of pharmacological induction; we evaluated the expression of autophagy markers in term placentas
Summary
In uncomplicated term pregnancies we have previously shown that autophagy is increased in placentas from cesarean when compared to vaginal delivery [2]; other studies have demonstrated higher levels of autophagy in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia [3], intrauterine growth restriction [4,5,6], or both [4], when compared to normal pregnancies. Far, the impact of induction of labor upon placental autophagy has not been investigated even though placental autophagy itself is attracting the interest of researchers for its possible implications in maternal fetal medicine For this reason, we underwent this study with the aim to investigate the relationship between autophagy and induction of labor; our hypothesis was that placental autophagy could be increased in cases of pharmacological induction; we evaluated the expression of autophagy markers in term placentas
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
